The Masked King is a trailblazing Nollywood movie that premiered in NIgeria on March 28, 2025. Produced by 7eventh Studio and directed by Uduak Obong Patrick, the film exposes inhumane cultural practices in notable parts of Calabar—most notably, the brutal killing of twins. It’s rated 16 for its intense and gory scenes.
The film boasts a stellar cast of talented actors, Daniel Etim, Shaffy Bello, Segun Arinze, Uche Montana, Gideon Okeke, and Uzor Arukwe.
Premise
The Masked King is not your regular Nollywood movie. For the first time since Everybody Loves Jenifa, a Nigerian film lives up to its hype. Set in the 1800s, The Masked King explores a dark period when twins were believed to be a curse. They were seen as unclean, a shame to any family, and were to be thrown into the evil forest.
For generations, the rulers of Okoyong upheld this cruel tradition. Any leader who defied it was considered weak and unfit to rule.
Then comes King Ansa (Daniel Etim Effiong), who rises to power after the death of his grandfather—his mother’s father. While he describes his reign as blissful, others disagree. He rules with a heavy hand, influenced by his council, especially Akabom (Jude Chukwuka), whose advice proves malevolent.
Things take a dark turn when King Ansa’s pregnant sister, the Princess (Uche Montana), begins to have terrifying dreams. She sees herself giving birth to twins. Scared for her babies’ lives, she confides in their mother, the Queen (Shaffy Bello).
Desperate to protect her unborn grandchildren, the Queen pleads with King Ansa to revoke the cruel law. He refuses, determined not to abandon his ancestors’ ways.
When the Princess eventually gives birth, her fears become real. She has twins. King Ansa, blinded by tradition, orders both twins to be killed. That single act unravels his sanity. The once-calculated king becomes unhinged. He lashes out at everyone, even his own mother. Anyone who stands in his way is killed and is their blood used to “cleanse” the land.
But a new opposition rises—a masked rival, the direct opposite of everything King Ansa represents. This mysterious figure leads a freedom-fighting group determined to bring down the corrupt council. As word of this rival spreads, curiosity brews. Who is this mask-wearing rebel? Why does he hide his identity? The truth behind the mask will shake Okoyong to its core.
Cast Performance
Daniel Etim Effiong as King Ansa
Daniel delivered a phenomenal performance. His transformation from a sane king to a violent ruler, and finally to a redeemed leader, was seamless. His range of emotions and ability to adapt to each scene were impressive. Although Daniel is known for his romantic roles, Daniel stepped far out of his comfort zone—and nailed it.
Shaffy Bello as the Queen
Shaffy brought pure emotion to her role. Her portrayal of a grieving mother and grandmother was gut-wrenching. Her expressions, tone, and presence were so powerful that you might find yourself crying with her. Truly, she is Nollywood royalty.
Uche Montana as the Princess
Uche had limited screen time, but her impact was unforgettable. Her fear, her vulnerability, her strength—it all felt real. You will feel everything she felt. She was the heart of the story and proved she’s a force to reckon with.
Gideon Okeke as Oboyo
Gideon was fierce as the freedom fighter. He embodied strength, defiance, and strategy. His presence was magnetic—from his combat scenes to the way he carried himself. This performance sets a new standard for warrior roles in Nollywood.
Jude Chukwuka as Akabom
Jude’s performance made my blood boil—in the best way. As Akabom, he was manipulative, deceitful, and annoyingly convincing. He played both sides so well that even the King fell for his lies. You’ll probably hate him by the end. That’s how good he was.
What I Liked About The Masked King
Nigeria has so many untold stories, and The Masked King brings one to life with grace and grit. It stays rooted in historical truth while changing the narrative—especially regarding how the killing of twins ended.
Unlike the overly Westernized accounts from Civic Education, this movie didn’t credit Mary Slessor alone. Instead, it honoured the resilience of the Queen and the fierce warriors of Calabar. I loved that.
Also, the use of the Calabar language was perfect. It wasn’t overused or thrown in for effect. I may not understand it, but it sounded like music to my ears.
What I Didn’t Like About The Masked King
At times, the film confused me. It was hard to reconcile the barbaric practices with the characters’ flawless command of English. They sounded too polished, too modern, for the time period.
I also sensed a superiority complex in scenes featuring foreign actors. Shaffy Bello, as much as I love her, may have gone overboard when acting opposite Lady Mary (Jenny Stead). It felt a bit forced.
Now, let’s talk sound. Some emotional scenes needed silence, not loud cinematic music. The background score was overused, and I had to rely on subtitles just to hear the dialogue.
The cinematography, too, needed work. Some scenes cut too quickly—like a rushed TikTok transition. It left me disoriented at times.
Verdict
The Masked King is a bold, emotional, and unforgettable film. There’s a plot twist I’m dying to talk about—but no spoilers here. Just know that it’s worth every minute.
The story touched me deeply. I could feel the pain of mothers whose children were taken. This movie hits hard, and I recommend watching it when you have time to truly take it all in.
My Rating
Masked King gets an outstanding 4 out of 5 stars.
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